GAME DAY PROTOCOLS
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You owe it to your team to make it to every game you possibly can. If you
can’t make it to a game, call me at least a day in advance (302-453-0859
[home]) and let me know.
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Eat a good breakfast (cereal, fruit, etc.--no junk food!) at least
one hour before the start of the game.
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Wear your game shirt. Pull your socks up over your shin-guards.
This is a team to be proud of, so please dress and act that
way.
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Bring plenty to drink (preferably plain water) between quarters.
If you use Gatorade or some other sports drink, dilute it with some extra
water. We will usually have a quick snack at halftime during late-morning
games.
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Be at the field for warm-ups half an hour before game time. When
you start to feel a little nervous, just remember that everyone else is
nervous too.
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Don't pester the coaches about what position you'll play or
when. We know that you
want to play as many minutes as possible. We will be following a
planned
line-up in which everyone gets equal game time, and everyone gets a chance
to play different positions.
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Each half is 25 minutes. You will typically play at least two
quarters, and you
owe it to your team to play the best you possibly can when you are on the
field. Always play to win, and, even more important,...
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practice good sportsmanship! Trash-talking, rudeness to the
referee or any other bad sportsmanship will get you taken out of the game.
Never criticize a teammate.
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Games will have a 10-minute half-time break
At the start of the break, grab your water and start
drinking, and
gather quickly to hear line-up changes and other instructions.
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When you are on the field, don't be distracted by shouts and cheers from
your family and other spectators. Just stay focused on the game and think
for yourself. I won't give many on-field instructions during
the game. If necessary, I will discuss your play with you when you come
off.
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When you are on the sidelines, study the game, particularly the
position you expect to be playing next time you go on. When the opponents
have the ball, are we covering the right opponents? When we have the ball,
are we getting open for passes? Are we making smart passes instead of getting
tackled and losing the ball?
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At the end of the game, we gather on the sideline for a cheer. Then we
cross the field and shake our opponents' hands.
--John Mackenzie